Customer Reviews

Senco A9 Palm Nailer

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Immediately after buying the palm nailer, I was involved in building a new roof structure on top of a flat roof. The first day, no one was interested in using the tool and everyone used a regular framing nailer. Second day, while trying to get a nail into a tight spot, one of the guys grabbed the palm nailer. It actually startled him because the nail (16d) went in so fast. Within about 5 minutes, everyone seemed to have a need for it. You will probably think I'm a shill until you drive your first nail with the tool - that is how long it takes to be convinced. You can control precisely where the nail goes into the wood (like in a hanger), the direction the nail takes into the wood, and it goes in with almost no recoil - not even as much as you get with the a regular framing nailer. It is light, a whole lot faster than using a hammer, and saves a lot of wear and tear on the arm joints. If you ever have a need to drive nails in tight places or if you can't justify the cost of a framing nailer, this is your tool.

I recently purchased a Senco A9XXX Palm Nailer. I am buildinga pole barn and needed something to drive the large 30d and 40dring-shanked spikes required for this building. The Senco nailer was advertised to drive nails up through 16d so I first ignored it. Then I checked out the other palm nailers on the market... the Senco who advertised that their nailer would drive nails up through 60d. One of my sources for information was the repair shop that my company uses for tool repair. They quickly advised me that the lower cost tools that I was considering would not hold up to the rigorous demands of large ring shank nails and the Senco was worth the extra money. I also found out that the Senco nailer would drive nails up through 70d, but required a different nose guide to handle the larger head diameter. I purchased the optional nose guide and could not be happier with the tool. It is a high quality tool that I expect to last for many years.

This isn't a tool that will replace your framing nailer, however when you find yourself needing to drive nails into tight spots where a nailer or hammer won't go, this tool is fantastic. I have used mine for toe-nailing bracing in between tusses, and other spots where a framing nailer either A) won't sink the nail, or B) it can get a bit unsafe to use a framing nailer. It has also saved me money by allowing me to purchase bulk nails in the smaller quantities that I need rather than having to buy an entire box of stick nails for my framing nailer, such as 16d galvanized nails for joists on a deck. It is perfect for joist hanger nails. Some local framing crews use theirs to set trusses w/ pole barn nails. It's not a tool you will use every day, but considering it's modest price, having one available for those hard to reach areas is really great.

Like another posted opinion, I considered other palm nailers, but was advised by some local builders to stay with the Senco for reliability and serviceability. Getting parts for this tool is as easy as calling my local Senco dealer.

I am a novice "weekend" carpenter. I recently purchased an older home that has needed a bunch of work which I like to do myself to the extent possible. My wife was getting frustrated with how long it took me to get projects done and was threatening to call in some expensive help.

I bought the palm nailer because I could not foresee enough projects to justify the cost (and storage hassle) of buying a framing gun. The palm nailer seemed like an interesting solution. I bought the Senco A9 because of Senco's reputation and the reviews that I read here. (I considered the A20 with all of the gadgets, but read a couple of things about it that scared me, so I decided to stick with what seemed to be the best.)

I can't compare this to other palm nailers, but so far this has worked great. It's pretty fun to use, and it has fulfilled my stated purpose of speeding up my work. When I need to bang something together (especially in awkward or high places, such as building storage spaces above the garage rafters), I can finish the job in a fraction of the time.

Also, our home is plaster, and driving a nail with a palm nailer creates a lot less vibration (and potential damage to plaster) than a hammer in my novice hands (and probably, for that matter, in anyone's hands).

This has definitely satisfied my desire to have a tool to allow me to quickly drive big nails without having to buy a framing gun. Assuming it holds up, I would recommend this to anyone.

Let me add a few items for those potential buyers who are novices. I had done some internet research on palm nailers before buying this (i.e., google searches, etc.) but had not spoken to anyone who had actually used one. Most of this is probably obvious to experienced tradespeople, but these are the things I wish I had known before buying this product.

1. Unlike a traditional nail gun, this device seems to work by percussion (striking the nail) rather than by shooting the nail. It's like a mini-jack hammer. You place the nail inside the guide (the little tube you see sticking out in the picture), press the nail against the surface, and when there is enough pressure in the guide, the little "hammer" inside the guide rapidly hits the nail until the nail has been driven in. Even though it works by percussion, the nailer does not vibrate the nailing surface the way a hammer would.

2. Because it operates by striking the nails, it's pretty loud.

3. Before buying, I had actually thought (don't ask me why, ignorance combined with wishful thinking) that I might be able to drive both round head and 6d finish nails (i.e., nails without heads) with this and have an all in one poor man's finish and framing gun. This is not a tool for driving finish nails, although I actually succeeded in driving a couple with it. First, because the heads of finish nails are small, it's hard to make them sit straight in the guide. Second, this nailer is activated by the guide pressing (with some force) against the nailing surface. In my experience, you will definitely leave marks on the surface being nailed. In other words, don't think this can be used as a finish nailer!

4. I have had a little trouble getting the nails to sit straight in the magnetic guide. Because the tool is meant to accomodate nails of different size, the nail does not sit tight/flush in the guide. As you are pressing the nail against the nailing surface, I sometimes end up pointing the nail in an unintended direction. I'm sure that this will improve over time, but in the meantime, when I am worried about alignment, I go ahead and start the nail with a blow from the hammer and then press the nailer against it and it works fine.

5. My guess is that this is probably a little safer than a framing gun. I don't think it would be possible to shoot a nail across the room with this tool. Also, it's much lighter.

6. Senco's instructions really stink. That doesn't matter if you are an experience tradesperson, but it creates interesting challenges for novices.

All in all, I think this is a great choice for a home handyman/woman who wants a quick way of driving roundhead nails without buying a framing gun.

This is the first review I've written on Amazon, though I have read a ton. I was leary about a palm nailer, I have a bunk wrist and am building a deck where I needed to nail in about 30 joist hangers. I couldn't use my framing nailer for the small holes in the hangers so I opted for the palm nailer. I tested it out on a 16 penny and the nail disappeared before I see how it drove. I'm telling you this is the coolist tool I own and I own em all. It doesnt replace a framing nailer, except in tight places. But for driving in joist hangers and any other sheet metal products with small holes in em...this will make your day. It sound like a woodpecker on steroids. You wont regret it.

This is a solid and reliable product. I use it everywhere. Odd places and some framing. You can buy optional guides for driving bigger or smaller sized nails. The standard guide that comes with the nailer is 16d magnetic. Here are some info on optional guides that may be helpful. Guide and Nose # FA0180, 7/8" diameter for 70d nails Guide and Nose # FA0179, 3/4" diameter for 60d nails Guide # FC0350 and Nose #FA0169, 21/64" diameter for 8d magnetic You can also get 30d, 30d magnetic, 40d, and 50d guides. A great tool to have. You will love it. It may be more expensive than Tradesman's palm nailer but it is worth the money.

Bought this nailer to save my shoulder which gets really sore after a day of driving nails w/ a hammer. It drives nails fast and accurate and allows me to use up the assorted bulk nails, of which I have many. It wont replace my framing gun (also Senco) but it fills an important niche. Get the A20 model...it comes with a leather glove w/ strap that's real handy.

I love Amazon.com but I have relied on all of you for advice and your experience with a tool. No doubt this Palm nailer is a must buy, I've had mine for over a year and love it....

Buy one of these babies and you can throw away your claw hammer, it just became obsolete,drives almost any standard nail anywhere you like and is just amazing on joist hangers etc.If you only ever buy one nail gun make it this one .Well done Senco another winner

This little thing is worth its weight in gold... haven't had so much fun in years... it has become an essential in the bag of tricks, drives anything you can load into it and seems so far to be trouble free... best for putting 16 sinkers in the hus angled hangers.... much safer than the stick gun...